Chrismas Carolling 2010

The Band has started its Christmas Carolling for 2010 and is seen here playing outside a well-known supermarket.

This week the UK, along with other parts of Europe, was hit by heavy snowfalls.

It added new meaning to that line in the carol 'Good King Wenceslas' that reads "When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even".

Photograph curtesy of Major Leanne Ruthven.
 

Sunday afternoon, 24 October 2010 the band was at the Rookstone Care Home in Sydenham, London.

A harvest festival service was held under the leadership of Band Sargeant Ray Kear supported by the band.
But Salvation Army banding is more than the playing of fine music and shown here are the band members sharing and ministering to the residents on a more personal basis.
God bless the Band.

Ace Trombonist visits Band Practice

Major Willis Howell, USA Southern Territory was a delegate in session 204 of the Internal College for Officers. He visited the UK in 1996 as a member of the trombone ensemble, ‘Spiritual to the Bone’. Willis was their ace bass trombonist.

The Band invited Major Howell, now President/Principal of the Salvation Army Evangeline Booth College in Atlanta, to a rehearsal in the first week of February to play with the band and lead the band devotions.
Some excellent bass trombone playing was followed by an inspirational devotional period that proved to be the highlight of the rehearsal.

It was an evening that the Band will long remember.                      The second photo shows 'Spiritual to the Bone', the electrifying jazz ensemble featuring ten trombonists and a  rhythm section, on tour in Australia in 1999.  Willis is the second on the left sporting a significant moustache.

Christmas Carols at St Margaret's on 3 December 2009

Click on picture to enlarge

The Upper Norwood Band played at the Lupus Carol Concert held in St Margaret's Church where it presented several Christmas pieces and provided accompaniment to the congregational carols.

St Margaret's Church stands between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, and is commonly called "the Parish Church of the House of Commons".

Link to St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey

Remembrance Service for the French Resistance

On Remembrance Sunday, 8 November 2009 the Upper Norwood Band led a well-attended service at the Memorial in Crystal Palace in the morning, and in the afternoon gave musical support to a special service held at the Vincennes War Memorial in West Norwood.

The recently refurbished Vincennes War Memorial commemorates members of the French Resistance during World War II, many of whom died during torture and harsh captivity. More than 80 residents from across Norwood and West Dulwich attended the ceremony, one of five official Remembrance Day events across the borough. Also in attendance were Reverend Canon George Ansah (Emmanuel Church West Dulwich), Reverend Andrew Rumsey (Christ Church Gipsy Hill) and Councillor Andrew Gibson (Gipsy Hill Ward), along with other church dignitaries and local councillors. The Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Mr. Christopher Wellbelove, was the primary speaker.

Also see report in a local newspaper - 'Your Gipsy Hill'

Mike Williams conducting the Band on Sunday, 1 August 2010

It was a real joy to see Lt Col Mike Williams conducting the Upper Norwood Band again after his illness and convalescence

The Upper Norwood Band playing to the patients at the Mayday Hospital on Sunday, 8 August 2010

The Upper Norwood Band's last practice before the Summer break was an open practice.  There was a very good turn-out and it proved to be thoroughly enjoyable.  This is a view of the formidable second row of the cornet bench.  A big thank you to Lt Col Ruth Williams for the refreshments including strawberries and cream.

Ten members of the Upper Norwood Band formed a composite band
to play at the installation of new ICO Flag and Flagpole

Upper Norwood Band Christmas Carolling 2009

The Upper Norwood Band's visit to Horsham Corps on 20 June 2010

The Upper Norwood Band at the ICO for the Welcome to new Delegates

Upper Norwood Band members around the table from the left are: 

Russell, Ray, Lawrie, Sylvia, Marianna, John Moye, Stan, Oupa Pete, Jenine & John Clarke